Shank reenforcement



R. J. GRIESEDIECK y May 17,1927. 1,628,969

SHANK REENFORCEMENT Filed Amal, 1922 Patented May 17, 1927.

nonniarra. GnrEsEmncK, or s'r. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

Appiication ined August .sa-1,` weefsels-a1 No. 583,384.

This invention relates to shoes and has to do particularly with a shankreenforcement.

It Vhas for its object to produce a simple, ei-

cient and practical device which will function to effectively isupportthe shank portion of 1Lhe shoe sole or bottom so as to resist downwardpressure thereon and yet be sufficiently yieldable in the oppositedirection to give the proper flexibility and elasticity to affordcomfort to the wearer in walking.

The invention-'consists in the novel construction and arrangement and-inthe combinations hereinafter described and afterwards pointed out withparticularity in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings illustrating certain practical adaptationsofthe invention and forming partV of this specification,- Y y, i

Figure 1 is a side edee view ofthe reenforcement it being shown in fulllines and the heel and sole portion of the shoe being shownconventionally in dotted lines to illustrate generally its application;

Figure 2 is a top face view ofthe reenforcement detached from the shoe;

Figure 3 is an end edge view showing the general cross section of thereenforcemen'tI illustrated in Figures 1 and 2; y

Figure 4f is a top face view of a modification of the reenforcement;A

Figure 5 is an end edge view of the reen-y forcem'ent illustrated inFigure 4, showing the cross section of the end portions ofthereenforcement;

Figure 6 is a view showing lthe cross section of the portions of thereenforcement between the middle and end portions.

Figures 7 and 8 are views showing cross sections of the middle portionof the reenforcement where the folds are made alternately from oppositesides;

Figure 9 is a plan view of an approximate formation ofthe blank fromwhich the reenforcement illustrated in Figures 4to 8, inclusive, isconstructed; and l Figures 1() to 13, inclusive, are views'Villustrating cross sections of further modifications of thereenforcement.

Referring now to the drawings, meral 1 designates generally the shankreenforcement which is preferably formed from sheet metal and possessingmore or less resiliency in the character of the metal. Y

As shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, the rethe nu- 'Y enforcement comprises astrip having a crimped or ribbed Stifte-ning portion 2 eX- tendinglongitudinally and medially of its upper face. `At intervals thiscrimped or ribbed portion is'cut crosswise, as at3, to face of the flatbody portion, the severed. ribbed or stilfening portions or Segments 4abutting when the support is in its normal set. This affords'asubstantial support under the weight of the wearers foot so as toprevent breaking down of the shank of the shoe, yet it is yieldableinthe opposite direction. That is to say, vthe middle portion of thesupport may be raised or the end portions may be moved downward.

In Figures lto 9, inclusive, a modification of the shank reenforcemcntis shown. In this modification the reenforcement is formed from ablanksubstantially as shown in Figure 9. At about midway between itsends the blank is slitted, as at, and notched, as at 6, to affordtongues Z in alternate or staggered relation on opposite sides of theblank,`the tongues being somewhat wider than the notches so that whenfolded over upon the base'- portion and` betweenveach other with theiredges abutting the reenforcement is given an arched shape and serve toprevent the arch from collapsing or breaking downward under the weightof the.

wearers foot as in the structure first described. To afford a moresubstantial support the tongues 7 are provided with raised formations 8which constitute a vstiffening rib in 'effect when the support is innormal shape. In some cases, however, the formations 8 may be eliminatedand the folded tongues 7 alone depended upon to maintain the arch. y

Between the ends of the rib formed by the portions Sand the extreme endportions of the support the marginal portions of the body are rolled, asat 9, to afford rigidity lto that portion of the reenforcement. This,however, may be eliminated in some cases.

The reenforcement may be vsecured in place in the shoe structure in anydesirable manner. As shown, ity is kprovided with apertures 10 at itsends to receive rivets or other fastening devices or means. l

The device is. also subject to further modiication in cross 'section vasindicated by Figures 10 to 13, inclusive, as well as in other obviousshapes; and it admits of considerable modification in other respectswithout depart-ing from the spirit and scope of the severed transverselyandthe segments there- 10 invention as defined b v the appended claims.It is, therefore, not limited to the specie constructions andarrangements shown in l'he drawings.

That is claimed is :v

1. In a. device of the character described, sheet-like body having ulongitudinal stiffening; rib on its upper Side, said rib being,r

of normally abutting each other.

2. In a device of the character described, a n'xultiplieity ofupstanding, abutting', stiiening elements arranged in longitudinalaline-- ment :rnd being; flexibly joined at their bases. whereby toresist downward pressure but })ermiting upward flexion of said device.

ROBERT J. GRIESEDI'QGK.

